Questionable Calls: Pacers Submit 78 Cases to NBA Office
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle shares his frustrations with the officiating in Game 2 and looks back on getting ejected in the fourth quarter. The text will be paraphrased while keeping the same amount of words and the same input language. According to a source from the NBA, the Indiana Pacers have reported 78 cases of incorrect or non-calls in Games 1 and 2 against the New York Knicks that they believe disadvantaged them.
In the Eastern Conference semifinals, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle stated that after Indiana lost to New York 130-121 and went down 2-0, the team found 29 questionable calls from Game 1. The Pacers source reported that they identified 49 plays from Game 2 that they believed were called incorrectly or not at all and submitted them to the NBA office overnight.
Brian Windhorst ESPN radio: “The Pacers were up all night & found 49 calls from [Game 2] inappropriately against them…Overnight submitted the 49 and 29 from Game 1…So…at league office…78 clips” pic.twitter.com/UNlhP6Opy4
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 9, 2024
Carlisle mentioned that initially, they had chosen not to submit the Game 1 calls for league office review, but reconsidered after Game 2 presented similar officiating concerns according to their viewpoint.
Under NBA guidelines, the videos will also be sent to the Knicks.
Carlisle assured us that we would turn in the submissions that night despite being thrown out in the last minute for receiving two technical fouls. “Prepare for New York.” They will also see them. I constantly remind our team members to focus on playing well without blaming the referees, but we should still receive fair treatment.
An angry Carlisle insinuated that the Pacers were being unfairly penalized by referees because they were competing against the biggest market in the league.
Carlisle stated that small-market teams should have a fair opportunity. Regardless of their location, they should be given an equal opportunity.
Refs CAN’T use Rule 2.5.d. – “an erroneously sounded whistle”. This was incorrectly called a double dribble violation. They cannot reverse a violation call.
Last game, the Last 2:00 Report said the kick ball violation call was “incorrect” & not reviewable. @Pacers @NBA @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/wGcMXcM3g1— Basketball Officiating Analysis (@BBallRefAnaysis) May 9, 2024
Carlisle was thrown out of the game after becoming frustrated with the referees’ decisions in Game 2, especially when they changed a call on a double dribble that could have impacted the game’s outcome.
During Game 1, the Pacers were incorrectly penalized for a kicked ball violation which was not overturned, leading to the team losing three crucial points in the 121-117 defeat.
The crowd at Madison Square Garden cheered when Jalen Brunson returned in the second half after missing the entire second quarter due to a right foot issue. The fans made the atmosphere difficult for the Pacers, and Carlisle thought it influenced the referees to support the Knicks.
The Pacers will need to review their defensive footage too. In Game 1, the Knicks lost their lead as the Pacers shot 65% in the second half. However, in Game 2, New York turned the tables by shooting 67% in the third quarter and outscoring Indiana 36-18 with Brunson back in the game.
Pacers standout Tyrese Haliburton, who rebounded with 34 points after scoring only six in Game 1, wasn’t going to solely fault the referees. “We shouldn’t act as if [officiating] is the sole factor in our loss. Haliburton stated that we didn’t perform well. “We simply need to improve.”
Knicks up 8 with 1:51 left.
Haliburton flops, gets the call, and the Pacers get 2 free throws.
Big market teams deserve a fair chance! pic.twitter.com/5CBFCKfKox
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) May 9, 2024
Another matter the Pacers need to address as the series shifts to Indianapolis for Friday’s Game 3 at 7 p.m. One issue for ET, and ESPN is how to defend Brunson. Backup guard T.J. McConnell was able to slow down Brunson during Games 1 and 2, but Carlisle decided to substitute him with seven minutes left and the Knicks leading by two points, bringing in starter Andrew Nembhard.
Pacers submitted 78 calls that they feel were incorrectly called against them from Game 1 & 2 against Knicks
(Via @WindhorstESPN) pic.twitter.com/kK46iUTm2Q
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2024
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Brunson scored 10 out of his 29 points during the crucial moments while being guarded by Nembhard, and he has made 14 out of 21 shots for a total of 33 points against Nembhard in the first two games. Carlisle mentioned that he thought about putting McConnell back in the game due to his positive plus/minus of +10, but ultimately chose not to because it wasn’t in line with the team’s usual style of play.
McConnell backed his coach’s choice. McConnell voiced his full support for Rick, a Hall of Fame coach with extensive experience, and expressed confidence in the rotations he utilizes. “I will be prepared whenever I am asked to take action.”